Chapter 3: You're No Better Than a Dog

The car had been driving for a long time before finally returning to the Duan family villa. The media vehicles tailing behind were all stopped by the security guards at the entrance of the villa district.

Free from the media’s watchful eyes, Duan Yubai irritably pulled off his tie. As soon as the car stopped, he impatiently rushed out, taking a deep breath of fresh air.

Su Nuo was utterly ashamed, curling up into a small ball, desperately trying to contain the scent she gave off.

Duan Yubai ordered the servants to take Su Nuo to bathe. “Scrub her clean! Burn all those tattered clothes she’s wearing—don’t leave a single scrap, understand?”

After saying that, he slammed his fist on the car roof, bending slightly as he shouted inside.

“I invited you, so hurry up and come out!”

Afraid of making him angry by moving too slowly, Su Nuo panicked and clumsily scrambled out, looking like a newborn foal struggling to stand, only to be immediately yanked out of the car by him.

Duan Yubai’s impatience with her pitiful state was not out of kindness; he did not truly intend to help her out.

Therefore, his grip on the collar of her coat lasted only a few seconds before he tossed her onto the lawn.

Numb but practiced, Su Nuo curled up tightly, even feeling grateful that the Duan family’s lawn was luxurious and thick, though the landing was harder than she had expected.

It wasn’t until she heard Chi Ling’s voice beside her that she realized she had been caught.

Chi Ling was as cold and efficient as ever, addressing Duan Yubai.

“The young lady may be carrying viruses. I will take her for disinfection first before sending her for cleaning.”

Duan Yubai waved dismissively, as if that was his only response.

Su Nuo had seen the backyard disinfection equipment—it was a water gun connected to a specially formulated high-grade disinfectant.

It was usually used to deworm and disinfect the guard dogs.

They would lead the dog over and spray from head to tail two or three times, marking the end of the disinfection process.

To ensure the skin beneath the fur was thoroughly cleaned, the water gun was also equipped with a pressure device.

Su Nuo dared not imagine what that strong disinfectant and powerful water flow would feel like on her wounds.

But she did not dare refuse. In Duan Yubai’s eyes, she was no better than a dog, perhaps even worse.

Before she was taken away, Su Nuo saw Duan Yubai fiercely wipe his hands with a disinfectant wipe, his disdain and irritation frightening the servants into silence.

He roared, “What are you standing there for? Throw everything in the car away! Not a single item is to be kept!”

If he could throw away that hand too, he surely would not hesitate.

Su Nuo slowly closed her eyes. She had long lost all bargaining chips and could only be manipulated.

When the sound of water spraying began, no pain followed, prompting Su Nuo to open her eyes again.

Not far off, Chi Ling poured disinfectant water into a basin, then swiftly sprinkled some white powder from a small bottle into it.

After stirring it evenly, she brought it before Su Nuo.

Su Nuo sat on the ground like a tattered doll.

“Miss, please close your eyes. Sorry for the offense.”

The next moment, a basin of cold water was poured over her head. It made her breath hitch and her heart ache, but the wounds only felt a slight burning sensation without any real pain.

Dizzy, she didn’t know how she was carried to the room. She collapsed on the floor, clutching the bathtub tightly.

“Everyone out, I—I’ll wash myself…”

The servants feigned insistence, afraid of Duan Yubai’s wrath, but Su Nuo refused to yield.

After two rounds of back-and-forth, the servants finally left, leaving Su Nuo alone in the bathroom.

She struggled into the tub. The moment the warm water embraced her, she felt a strange illusion as if she were already dead.

The familiar bathtub, the familiar luxurious villa, the familiar scent—all these familiar things made her feel like she was in another world.

Looking at her damaged flesh beneath the shimmering water, Su Nuo obeyed Duan Yubai’s orders, gritting her teeth to scrub every inch of herself clean.

By the time she left the bathroom, she was nearly fainting, leaning against the doorframe for a long while before regaining consciousness.

Just then, the servants brought the clothes as instructed.

It was a set of long-sleeved top and pants. When first bought, it was only available in the smallest size. Su Nuo had always felt it made her look fat, so it had been buried at the bottom of her trunk ever since.

Now, wearing it, it was far too big on her.

Among Su Nuo’s many evening dresses, this was one of the few long-sleeved sets, covering her wrists and ankles.

In the mirror, she appeared slender and delicate but pale and lifeless. Her long black hair was obediently neat, tender and seemingly vulnerable—a stark contrast to the heavily made-up version of herself she once was, far more beautiful in a subtle way.

Yet her eyes, once known for their liveliness, were now dull and devoid of light.

Suddenly, she remembered that she had originally bought this outfit for the school opening ceremony.

Before being abducted, she had received an admission letter from a top foreign university for graduate studies, but now, it was already three months too late.

Su Nuo withdrew her gaze and said faintly, “Thank you for your hard work.”

The servants exchanged glances, no one daring to believe the pampered young lady would say such words to them.

Enduring the pain in her body, Su Nuo went out to meet Duan Yubai. After these three months, she finally had a clear understanding of her place.

She was beneath the servants, beneath the dogs.

Servants could work; dogs could guard the home.

She was merely an object for the Duan family to showcase their benevolence.

As soon as she stepped outside, she saw Duan Yubai.

He was lazily leaning on the railing, smoking. He had changed into new clothes and was using his other hand to smoke, likely still disgusted by the one that had touched her.

Perhaps his presence here was not genuine, as the mockery and disdain on his face were far too obvious.

Duan Yubai slowly exhaled smoke, his gaze sweeping over Su Nuo from head to toe.

Mockingly, he said, “You sure know how to put on a show, dressing like this.”

“Sorry…”

The three words barely left her lips before he furrowed his brows fiercely.

Seeing him about to lose his temper, Su Nuo quickly explained, “I didn’t mean to dress like this. I didn’t intend to offend your eyes. I won’t do it again; it’s all my fault.”

She tried to kneel, but Duan Yubai’s fierce glare warned her sharply, freezing her in place.

She only wanted to wear clothes that covered her wounds — she truly did not mean to anger him.

Perhaps her voice was too loud, attracting attention from the living room.

Su Nuo suddenly heard an anxious voice calling out, “Xiao Nuo, Xiao Nuo, Xiao Nuo!”

With hurried footsteps came another sweet voice.

“Mrs. Duan, don’t worry. You’ve cried yourself sick over Miss Su. Be careful not to hurt yourself. Of course, Miss Su has to act spoiled with the president first before it’s our turn.”

Su Nuo instantly recognized the voice—it was Mo Xiaoxue, Duan Yubai’s secretary.

As expected from Mo Xiaoxue, with just a few words she turned Su Nuo, the victim, into a lovesick, unfilial daughter.